“Some of the conditions you wouldn’t even recognise in the UK. I was shocked when I went,” said Farrah.

One of the main aims of TBACT is to introduce “Babas”, or surrogate grannies, into the children’s lives.

“There was one child who we didn’t think had long because he was really ill,” said Farrah. “But going back recently, he’s now got a Baba and he’s coming on a long way. The results we’ve seen are brilliant.”

Farrah, who is due to start a post-graduate degree in children’s nursing later this year, had her first trip to Bulgaria in July 2010.

“I always wanted to go away and volunteer in a different country,” she said. “When I came home and told my parents I was going to Bulgaria for four weeks they were like ‘what!’”

But with four trips already under her belt and with number five coming in August, it shows just how passionate Farrah is about TBACT.

“It’s more of a personal journey,” she said. “Through Bulgaria I’ve gained confidence to pursue my passion of child nursing.”

Domica Detey, the orphanage Farrah volunteered at, houses 300 children but only has two or three staff members working on each floor.

Farrah said: “We were able to provide the children with the intimate and personalised care that they needed. My maternal instincts kicked in. I felt like I was their mum. I miss the kids a lot; I try not to think about them too much because I get really emotional.”

Farrah said she was looking forward to returning.

She said: “It will be good to see the progress with the children moving into another home. I’ve a sense of loyalty to the orphanage and the children.”

Through various fundraising bag packs, coffee mornings and cake sales, Farrah and her group were able to install a music system to play nursery rhymes to stimulate the children. “Slowly things are getting better,” said Farrah. “It’s one of those experiences which will change your life.”